Hyderabad: బోర్డు తిప్పేసిన మరో సాఫ్ట్వేర్ కంపెనీ
Sholay Original Uncut Version Re-Releasing in 4K
Iconic Bollywood film Sholay, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, and others, is all set for a re-release next week. Originally released on August 15, 1975, the film faced initial objections from the censor board and was released with a duration of 198 minutes. Later, the director’s original cut of 204 minutes became available on home media.
At the time of its release, Sholay received mixed reviews but quickly gained popularity through positive word of mouth and became the highest-grossing Indian film of that era. Even today, it holds the record for the highest footfalls in Indian cinema.
For the upcoming re-release, Sholay will be presented in its uncut and original version, fully restored in 4K with Dolby 5.1 sound. The film will hit theatres on December 12, 2025, marking the first-ever theatrical presentation of the original uncut version in its Golden Jubilee year.
The plot follows Jai and Veeru, two ex-convicts hired by retired policeman Thakur Baldev Singh to capture the notorious dacoit Gabbar Singh, who has wreaked havoc in the village of Ramgarh. Produced by Sippy Films and directed by Ramesh Sippy, the film’s restoration has been handled by the Film Heritage Foundation, and the theatrical release is being managed by PEN Marudhar.
Ram Charan’s RC17: Urban Avatar with Sukumar
Ram Charan is currently busy with the rural sports drama Peddi alongside Janhvi Kapoor, but the excitement is already building around his next project, RC17. Fans are curious about the new world director Sukumar will craft for Charan.
After the rustic success of Rangasthalam and the upcoming Peddi, Sukumar seems ready to present Charan in a modern, urban avatar this time. Reports suggest Charan will sport a stylish, contemporary look, a stark contrast to his lively, partially deaf village character in Rangasthalam. The producer has teased this fresh persona, sparking significant fan excitement.
The project is official, with Sukumar having finalized the story draft. He and Charan are set to head to Dubai for the final narration, after which pre-production will begin. The Sukumar-Charan combination has previously delivered a blockbuster, so expectations for RC17 are extremely high.
Devi Sri Prasad is confirmed to compose the music. Following the release of Peddi on March 27, the team will commence the puja ceremonies for RC17. The heroine is yet to be announced, keeping fans eagerly waiting.
Akhil Akkineni’s Lenin Set for Valentine’s Day 2026 Release
Akhil Akkineni, the younger son of Nagarjuna, has been enjoying newlywed life with Zainab Ravadjee since their wedding in June. The couple has been spotted frequently at airports, on vacations, and soaking in their honeymoon glow. Meanwhile, fans are eagerly awaiting Akhil’s return to the big screen. His last film, Agent, released nearly three years ago and didn’t perform well, leaving him absent from theatres since then.
Earlier in April 2025, the teaser for his upcoming film Lenin was released, initially featuring Sreeleela as the heroine. Over the following months, updates were sparse, and the buzz gradually cooled. Directed by Murali Kishore Abbur and produced by Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments, the film later replaced Sreeleela with Bhagyashree Borse due to scheduling conflicts. The shoot is now in its final stages.
Industry insiders suggest that the makers are considering releasing Lenin on February 14, 2026—Valentine’s Day. The film reportedly contains strong romantic content, and the team believes a Valentine’s Week release could give it an extra boost. While this isn’t officially confirmed, the rumor has gained significant traction. There’s also a nostalgic connection, as Naga Chaitanya’s Thandel released in early February 2025 and became a ₹100-crore blockbuster. With Thaman composing the music, fans are hopeful that Lenin will mark Akhil’s long-awaited successful comeback.
Dhandoraa: Early Overseas Premiere Set for December 23
Dhandoraa is set to have its early overseas premieres on December 23, 2025, giving international audiences a first look nearly two days before its India release. Presented by Muppaneni Sri Lakshmi under Loukya Entertainments, the film’s international distribution will be handled by Atharvana Bhadrakali Pictures.
The teaser hints at a raw, grounded drama, capturing the dust, rhythm, and tempo of village life rather than polished cinematic artifice. Dhandoraa explores caste dynamics within a fully commercial narrative, blending social relevance with entertainment seamlessly.
The film stars Shivaji, Navadeep, Nandu, Ravikrishna, Manika Chikkala, Mounika Reddy, Bindu Madhavi, Radhya, Aditi Bhavaraju, and others. It is directed by Muralikant and produced by Ravindra Benarjee Muppaneni.
Bhumi Pednekar Stuns in Bold All-Black Look
Bhumi Pednekar’s journey in Bollywood hasn’t been the usual glitzy entry. She began her career behind the scenes, managing casting rooms, running scripts, and persuading newcomers to audition. Few on those sets could have predicted that she would one day be gracing posters herself. A decade later, Bhumi continues to choose unconventional roles and brings a distinct authenticity to each performance, making it feel tailor-made for her.
Her recent film, Mere Husband Ki Biwi, didn’t make waves at the box office, but Bhumi remained unfazed. She moves with a quiet confidence, steadily taking on projects that suit her vision. With several solid films lined up, her fans are confident she’ll deliver remarkable performances once again.
Alongside her professional work, Bhumi recently shared a new set of striking photos online. She sports a bold all-black outfit featuring a fitted top with sheer sleeves, long gloves, and a draped bottom, creating a sharp and edgy aesthetic. A chain-style accessory crosses her torso, adding an unexpected yet stylish touch to the ensemble. Her pose, with arms raised and chin steady, exudes confidence, showing she knows her presence speaks volumes without explanation.
Prabhas Stuns Fans with Lean Look at Japan Screening of Baahubali
Prabhas has arrived in Japan to attend a special screening of Baahubali: The Epic, reigniting global attention for the blockbuster. Following the film’s massive success in Japan, the promotions are now in full swing. Amid the event, Prabhas’ new look has become the center of conversation among fans.
Earlier reports suggested that Prabhas would avoid public appearances to prevent his updated look from leaking on social media. However, at the Japan event, he attended without any head covering, delighting fans who are thrilled to see him in a lean, refreshed appearance. This marks a change from his usual macho look, and fans are excited about the transformation.
Director Sandeep Reddy, known for carefully curating the screen appearances of his actors, has ensured Prabhas’ new look aligns perfectly with his role as a cop. In addition to this event, Prabhas is gearing up for his next releases, The Raja Saab and Fauzi, keeping audiences eager for his upcoming projects.
Akhanda 2 Overseas Release in Trouble
Nandamuri Balakrishna’s much-awaited sequel Akhanda 2 couldn’t hit theatres this Friday due to a legal dispute involving the producers and their pending financial obligations. Although early reports hinted at a long delay, the team has been trying to resolve the issue quickly and release the film at least later in the day.
However, the situation has turned more complicated when it comes to the film’s overseas release. Because Akhanda 2 missed its scheduled premiere, many of the screens that overseas distributors had reserved were reassigned to Hollywood biggies like Zootopia 2 and Wicked: For Good for the entire weekend. As a result, even if the makers manage a last-minute release, Akhanda 2 will not secure the required number of screens in North America.
This is a major setback, considering that Akhanda grossed over $1 million overseas and the hype around the sequel—powered by the Balakrishna–Boyapati Sreenu combination—is tremendous. Without sufficient screens, distributors will face a tough challenge recovering their investments.
Given the circumstances, the makers may now have to target a December 12th release in North America to ensure a proper wide release. But that window is tight as well, because Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to arrive on December 19th, bringing massive competition and limiting Akhanda 2’s performance time to just one full week.
In summary, while the domestic box office may not be significantly affected—thanks to strong expectations and minimal competition—the overseas business is likely to take a hit due to Hollywood releases and the scheduling chaos.
Raj Kandukuri Hails Revanth Reddy’s Landmark Ticket Hike Decision
National Award–winning producer Raj Kandukuri has praised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his landmark decision to allocate 20% of the additional revenue from the recent ticket price hike for Akhanda 2 towards the welfare of cine workers. Kandukuri said the move gives dignity and respect to every worker in the Telugu film industry, many of whom are struggling to find employment, and called it a truly welcome measure.
The Telangana government had earlier approved a temporary increase in cinema ticket prices for Akhanda 2, originally scheduled to release on December 5, following a request from the producers and in line with existing ticket rate guidelines. Kandukuri described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind step that will benefit nearly 14,000 workers across 24 crafts in Telugu cinema.
Under the approved structure, single screens will see a ₹50 increase per ticket, multiplexes ₹100, and a special 8:00 PM show on December 4 has been permitted with tickets priced at ₹600 inclusive of GST. The government has mandated that 20% of the additional revenue collected through this hike be deposited into the Movie Artists’ Welfare Association account, managed by the Telangana Film Development Corporation in consultation with the Labour Commissioner. Kandukuri highlighted the significance of the decision, noting that even Tamil Nadu and Kerala have not issued similar government orders.